Collapsible mold for pressing meats and other food products



July 13 1926.

J. .L HoFFMANN COLLAPSIBLE MOLD FOR PRESSING METS AND OTHER FOOD PRODUCTS Filed Dec. 24, 1925 July 13 1926. 1,59:,211

V'.1. J. HOFFMANN COLLAPSIBLE MOLD FOR PRESSING MEATS AND OTHER FOOD PRODUCTS iled neo. 24, 1925 2 sheets-sheet 2 Fatented July" 13, l1926.

NETE STATE JOSEPH J". HOFFMANN,

OF DENVER, COLGRADO.

COLLAPSIBLE MOLD FOR PRESSING JEATS AND OTHER F091) VPROIDTJ'C'IIS.

Application led December My invention relates to a collapsible mold of any practical shape, Jfor forming various kinds of meat,- prepared cereals, "fruit gelatine and other foods into loa-ves or cakes.

And the objects of my invention are First: to provide a collapsible mold that comprises interlocking side and end and bottom plates.

Second: to provide a collapsible mold of rectangular or any other shape in which `variousrfood substances can bemolded into` loaves and cakes; and in which afbottom `plate and Vend and side members are made separately and independently o each other and in which the bottomplate is yprovided with looped members and with recesses so arranged that the ends and the sides interlockingly lit into each other.

Third: to provide a simple sanitary type ot .mold that is preferably ot rectangular shape and has been especially designed for the pressing and molding ot meats such as pressed-ham head-cheese pigs-feet pressed corn beet7 pressed pork loin loin-loaf chili7 wet and prepared cereals, fruits and other gelatine foods, cheese and tor molding cakes and other substances andmaterials7 that it is desired to mold or press into loaf forms and into the form of cakes ready to be prepared for shipment and to sell directly to consumers.

l attain these objects by the `mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

in which Fig. 1, is a plan view of the improved collapsible mold.

FigQ, is a side elevation of the same, one ot the ends thereof being shown in section. Fig. 3, is an end view thereof, the presser plate being omitted.

Fig. 4. is va transverse sectional view through the mold, omitting the presser plate.

Fig. 5. is a ,tragniental plan view of one l corner of the mold, showing a'modification i0, is a4 tragment'al seetienelv view ih perspective lviewot one of the 2li, 1925. serial No. 77,517.'

lustrating a modificationy in the manner ot holding the presser plate under spring pressure, and

Fig. 11, is a plan view of a mold adaptcd for pressing whole hams. f

Reerring to the drawings, embodying my invention. the numeral v1, designates the base plate ot the improved meat and othertood pressing mold, and along the opposite ends and side edges of this bottom plate are tormed grooves or recesses 2 and 3 and the bottoms oiLl which are rounded to allow them to be thoroughly and quickly cleaned. The side grooves 3 extend throughout the entire length of the bottom plate but the end grooves 2 intersect the side grooves, but do not extend across them to the outside edges ot the opposite sides'of the bottom plate.

Upon the opposite ends of the bottom plate are formed inverted U-shaped keepers l which are beyond the end grooves 2 and project abovethe top surface of the plate and the tops and sides of these keepers 4L form rectangular openings 5, the bottomr plate 1 is provided on its under side with diagonal strengthening ribs 6, which extend from corner to corner, and intersect each other at the center of the plate.

The lower edges oit' the two opposite end plates 7 are formed with longitudinal tongues or ribs 8 which lit loosely in the grooves 2, of the base plate and the side edges of the end plates are provided with vertical grooves 9. The opposite ends ot the side plates 10 are provided with vertical tongues 11, which fit loosely into the grooves 9 of the end plates.

The lower edges of the side plates 10, are formed with longitudinal tongues 12, which are adapted to fit into the longitudinal grooves 13 which extend along the side edges of the bottom plate.

The upper corner portion ot each side plate is formed with spaced lugs or ears 13., having alined holes in which pins 14 are passed, which. also pass through eye bolts 15., which are thus held between the ears 13 so as to swing on the pins. rlhe space between the ears 13 torni grooves or recesses 16, which extend ont through the adjacent. ends of the plate and the groovesl 16 are adapted to register with grooves or recessesvl?, which are formed in theside edges ot the end plate 7, and in order to lock the end and side plates together, the

'eye bolts 15 are swung' inte the grooves l? ot the end plate, and thumb nuts iS are screwed upon the eye bolts and against the end plates. as shown in Figures l and Upon the outside 'tace of each end plate, and at the lower edge thereot, is formed a lug 19, which is ot a size to lit simply in the opening 5 ot the keeper el on` the end ot the bottom plate, and thusl loci; the end plates to the bottom plate, and when the side plates are locked to the end plates by the eye bolts in the manner above described, all of the parts are securely held together in mold 'Orm.

lYhen thus assembled, lthe heads l2 on the lower edges ot the side plates, which litin the grooves 3 ot' the bottom plate, and the heads ll on the ends oit the side plates which tit in the grooves a ot the end plates, prevent sprea ling ot the side plates, and the end plates are held againstmovement by the thumb nuts 1S.

A presser plate is used in connection vith the mold and is adapted to be connected with the end plates in the following manner: The outside surface ot each end plate is provided with an integral raised portion 20, which is 'formed with horizontally disposed under-eut teeth 2l, as clearly shown in Fig. 9. The presser plate 22 is a metal plate et' a size and shape corresponding to the interior ot' the mold and upon its upper side are formed diagonally disposed ribs 23 which terminate at the center of the plate, in spaced aperture lugs 24, through which a pin or bolt 25 is passed.

A spring 2G passes under the bolt and the main portion o1 this spring is upwardly bowed as shown in Fig. 2, and bowed portion terminates in straight end portions to the extremities of which depending hooks 2T are pivotally secured. The bowed portion ot the spring is formed with a central crimp 26A in which the bolt lies, the crimp preventing endwise movement of the spring.

A second spring 2S, lies beneath the spring 26 and the bolt 25 and the main portion oi this spring is also upwardly bowed and the bowed portion terminates in downwardly inclined end portions which abut against transverse ribs't), near the ends of the presser plate and which connect the diagonal ribs The opposite ends 29 of the bowed portion ot' the sjring 28, bears againstthe under side of the bowed portion of the spring 2G, and provide tulerum points for the spring 26. Upon the straight end portions of the spring 26 are riveted the inner ends of light springs SO which are curved over the pivoted ends of the hooks 2T vandthen downwardly' and inwardly so as to engage the-'said hooks and torce them into engagement with any one ofthe teeth 21 on the lend plates `-of the mold.

To -fonr'a pressed loaf Vfrom ineat' or other pdii'tftherawmateriel eut into Sinai] pieces and placed in the mold; the presser plate 22 is then placed upon the material, and the end portions ot the spring 2G are iforcibly pressed down and each hooi: 2i' en- Aes one ot the teeth 2l on the end plates T of the mold. The spring 2G is then under heavy tension which causes a downward pressure on the presser plate 22. The mold is then placed in water at the necessary temperature to cook the material and as the material soi'tens under the cooking proces" the presser plate is forced down by the ring 2, thus pressing the material into loaf torni; and when the material has cooled, the parts ot the mold arediscom'iected leaving the loa'f tree and in perfect iorm.

TWith the solid molds in present use, the loat is o'ten marred or broken. as it can only be removed from the mold by turing the same upside down and shaking it until the loa't drops out.

ln Fig. ll is shown a mold which is adapted for pressing a whole ham. This mold is in all respects similar to the mold shown in Figures l and 2, excepting that the side plates 3l and bottom plate 32 are outwardly curved, to conform somewhat to the shape 0l the ham, the end plates being identical with those in the figures neerred to.

in Figures 5, G and T are illustrated a modiiication in the manner ot securing the side and end plates ot the mold together. ln this arrangement, the upper corners of the side plates l0* are formed on the outer side, with a raised portion 33, in which is termed a slot or recess 3l, which opens out through the end otl the plate and a vertical hole 3.3 extends down trom the upper edge of the 'plate and through the raised portion as to intersect the said slot or recess 3l. The upper corners ot the end plates 7^ are formed on the outerside with lugs 36 which are adapted to enter the recess 8l in the side plates` when the side and end plates are assembled. The lugs 36 are provided with holes 3T which register with the holes in the side plates. and a pin 3S, is inserted in the holes and 37 and thus securely locks the end and side plates together. The upper edge of the lug 3G, and the under edge of the recess 34, are curved in an arc whose center is the head S on the lower edge of the end plate. which is the axis on which the end plate swings, when connecting it with or disconnecting it from the lside plate, as will be understood.

In Fig. l0. is shown a modification in the tension mechanism for the presser plate. In this arrangement a horizontal har 39 takes lthe place of the spring 26 of Figures -l and the holes, their heads resting on the bottoms of the counterbores.

The ends of these bolts are rigidly secured in holesl in the *presser plate 22A, and strong coil springs 42 surround the bolts and are interposed between the bar 39 and the presser plate 22A, the ends ot the springs lying in shallovs7 sockets 43 and 44, inthe said bar and plate respectively.

In practice, the bar 39 is pressed down, thereby compressing the springs 42, and the hooks 2T are caused to engage the teeth 2l on the end plate, whereby the presser plate is forced against food products in the mold, as in the manner previously described. The presser plate is dispensed Within molding gelatines, and when the mold is used tor baking cakes or other articles not requiring pressure.

The molds are preferably made oi aluminum though any other suitable material may be employed, and the outer faces of the side and end plates are formed with ribs 45 along their sides and end edges which not only strengthen the plates but give an ornamental appearance to the mold.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, iszl. In a collapsible mold, the combination with a bottom plate having keepers on its ends; ot end plates having projecting lugs adapted to enter said keepers and lock the end plates to the bottom plate, side plates and means for connecting they end and side plates.

2. In a collapsible inold ol the character described, the combination with a bottom plate having integral yoke-shaped keepers on its ends; of end plates having.,r outwardly projecting lugs thereon adapted to enter said keepers and lock the end plates to the bottom plate, side plates and means for connecting the end and side plates.

In testimony whereof I ax my signature.'

JOSEPH J. HOFFMANN. 

